COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

May 27, 2008

 

** APPROVED **

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 2:45 p.m. by Chairman Curtis W. Crandall.

 

Members Present: Chairman C. Crandall, G. Benson, D. Burdick, W. Dibble, D. Fanton, W. Hall, T. Hopkins, K. Kruger, M. McCormick, D. Pullen, B. Reynolds, D. Russo, R. Truax, N. Ungermann;  (Absent: T. O’Grady)

 

Others Present:  A. Finnemore, L. Gridley, J. Margeson, T. Miner, B. Riehle; Media:  K. Doyle, Olean Times Herald; B. Quinn, Wellsville Daily Reporter

 

County Comprehensive Plan, SEQR Environmental Assessment Form Review:

 

            County Attorney Thomas Miner summarized the County Comprehensive Plan State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Process to date.  Notices were sent out regarding the County’s intent to act as lead agency.  Thirty days has elapsed, and there has been no challenge so the County is now the lead agency.  As required by law, the next step is for the County as lead agency to take a hard look at environmental questions as they relate to the plan and complete an Environmental Assessment Form.  Mr. Miner distributed for review Part 1, which has been completed, and Part 2 to be completed as a group.  He noted that because this is a plan or a working document and not an actual project, a lot of the information will be answered “no” or “not applicable,” but we still need to look at it.

 

            Part 1 was reviewed for concurrence.  A question was raised on Approval Required by City, Town, and Village Boards.  Mr. Miner responded that answer should be “no” because although these entities need to be informed, they have no approval authority.

 

            Part 2 was reviewed and completed as a group.  Mr. Ungermann commented that these questions are site specific, and he questioned if we had the correct form.  Mr. Miner responded that the form is correct, and it is required for the Comprehensive Plan.  The plan includes future goals, but doesn’t address a particular site.  Chairman Crandall noted that once a project is drawn from the plan for implementation, an assessment form would have to be done for that project.

 

            Following completion of the Environmental Assessment, it was established that there were no areas addressed as having any significant impact.  A motion was made by Truax, seconded by Hall and carried for a determination of no significant environmental impact regarding the County’s Comprehensive Plan.  Prepare Resolution.

 

            Filing requirements will be taken care of by Mr. Miner.  The public hearing date will be set at the next board meeting on June 9, with the public hearing to take place at the end of June.  If there are no objections, the plan would go into effect immediately.

 

Attorney/Client Session:

 

            A motion was made by Dibble, seconded by Truax and carried to enter into an attorney/client session.  Following discussion, a motion was made by Reynolds, seconded by Dibble and carried to end the attorney/client session and return to the regular meeting.

 

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m. following a motion made by Truax, seconded by Reynolds and carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Adele Finnemore, Journal Clerk